Many people that are interested in floating have concerns about being claustrophobic during their experience.

At Northwest Float Center we have run thousands of floats, and consistently have had no issues with people feeling claustrophobic.  The reason is simple:  you are in control.  During a walkthrough explaining the experience, you will be shown how the float tank operates and some ways to personalize the float to enhance your comfort.

There are no locks or latches on the doors and they can be propped for extra light. You also may end the experience early if desired.  While you may be apprehensive at first, once you realize that you are in full control, prior anxiety will simply float away.

Originally, astronauts preparing for space first used sensory deprivation. In fact, NASA still trains their space personnel with these devices. While astronauts need to know how weightlessness will affect their bodies over time, floatation tanks focus on providing short-term benefits to users. Interestingly, when used as a therapy aid, floatation tank sessions have the exact opposite effect of long-term weightlessness in space.

In space, lack of gravity over time starts to shrink muscles and bone mass causing widespread pain and poor joint functionality. Muscle shrinkage also affects the heart’s ability to pump blood. In a zero gravity environment, blood flow does not fight moving towards the heart and head as it does on earth. The result is that blood flows more freely in peoples’ upper extremities and can cause puffiness in the face and eyes.